Review by Adam Stephen Kelly
UK Certification E | UK RRP £24.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 260 minutes
In this five-part collection, National Geographic leaves the mysteries and intricacies of the jungle behind and puts the pedal to the metal for a globetrotting exploration into how the world's finest cars are made.
Each 45-minute episode takes a look at a different car and the factories that construct them. We go to Italy for Ferrari's Fiorano 599 and the Murcielago SV, Lamborghini's fastest ever car; Stuttgart, Germany for the Porsche's stunning 911 Carerra; Goodwood, England for the Rolls Royce, affectionately known as the world's greatest car brand; and back to Germany for the Audi R8.
Each meticulous process of production is explained in detail, from the incredibly precise welding of world famous chassis, to the finest, most customised touches in the case of the luxurious Rolls Royce Phantom, which offers customers seemingly endless options for crafting their dream car to perfection, from a 45,000+ colour palette to a picnic basket-like champagne fridge.
If you're a real petrolhead then chances are you'll find this set fascinating, even if each of the episodes do follow their own formula a little too much. Personally, cars do nothing for me, but even I had my interest piqued by seeing just what goes into making the industry's most exquisite and expensive machines.
EXTRAS None.
• The five episodes of Ultimate Car Factories are also available in separate single-disc DVD releases (UK RRP £7.99), in addition to the complete collectable box set as featured in this review.